Cart Inventory System and Associated Methods

ABSTRACT

An example cart inventory system and associated methods are described. The example cart inventory system includes a cart and a detection system. The cart includes a frame, and a shelf movably mounted to the frame and configured to be positioned between an extended position and a folded position. A top surface and a rear surface of the shelf include first and second identifiers, respectively. The detection system is configured to detect the first identifier when the shelf is in the extended position and detect the second identifier when the shelf is positioned in the folded position. In the extended position, the top surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal and the rear surface is disposed against the frame. In the folded position, the rear surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application that claims the benefit of co-pendingU.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/005,872, which wasfiled on Jun. 12, 2018, which is a continuation of, and claims thebenefit of priority to, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.15/621,645, which was filed on Jun. 13, 2017 (issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,068,407 on Sep. 4, 2018), which claims the benefit of commonlyassigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/378,755, which wasfiled on Aug. 24, 2016. The entire contents of the foregoing patentapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A variety of carts can be used to transport objects from one location toanother location. It can be difficult to track the location of cartswithin an environment, often resulting in misplaced, abandoned, or lostcarts. It can also be difficult to determine whether a restocking taskhas been completed with a cart or whether the cart is still in use.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cart inventorysystem that provides a real-time (or substantially real-time)determination on whether carts within the retail environment are in useor not. In particular, the exemplary cart inventory system utilizesvideo analytics and identifiers on the carts to determine locations ofcarts and whether the carts are in use. In exemplary embodiments, eachcart can include a shelf configured to be positioned between an extendedposition and a folded position, with each position providing visibilityto a respective identifier on the cart. By detecting one of the twoidentifiers on the cart, a detection system determines a location of thecart and whether the cart is in use or not.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycart inventory system is provided that generally includes a cart and adetection system. The cart includes a frame and a shelf. The shelf canbe movably mounted to the frame and configured to be positioned betweenan extended position and a folded position. The shelf includes a topsurface, first and second side surfaces, and front and rear surfaces.The top surface includes a first identifier and the rear or frontsurface can include a second identifier. The detection system can beconfigured to detect the first identifier when the shelf is positionedin the extended position and detect the second identifier when the shelfis positioned in the folded position. In the extended position, the topsurface can be oriented upwards (or substantially upwards) relative tohorizontal and the rear surface is disposed against the frame. In thefolded position, the rear surface can be oriented upwards (orsubstantially upwards) relative to horizontal (e.g., a downwardly foldedposition) or the front surface can be oriented upwards (or substantiallyupwards) relative to horizontal (e.g., an upwardly folded position). Insome embodiments, the rear surface of the shelf can include the secondidentifier and the front surface can include a third identifier, and theshelf can be positioned in either the downwardly folded position or theupwardly folded position such that the rear surface or the front surfacecan be oriented upwards (or substantially upwards) relative tohorizontal.

The detection system can include one or more cameras mounted to aceiling located over an area within which the cart is disposed. Theshelf can be positioned in the extended position when the cart is inuse. In the extended position, the detection system is able to detectthe first identifier, and the second identifier is hidden from view ofthe detection system. Based on the ability to detect the firstidentifier and the inability to detect the second identifier, thedetection system determines that the shelf is in the extended positionand the cart is in use.

In the folded position, the detection system is able to detect thesecond identifier (whether on the rear surface or the front surface ofthe shelf), and the first identifier is hidden from view of thedetection system. Based on the ability to detect the second identifierand the inability to detect the first identifier, the detection systemdetermines that the shelf is in the folded position and the cart is notin use. In some embodiments, the first and second identifiers can bebarcodes. In some embodiments, the first identifier can be the same asthe second identifier. In some embodiments, the first identifier can bedifferent from the second identifier.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarycart is provided that generally includes a frame and a shelf movablymounted to the frame. The shelf can be configured to be positionedbetween an extended position and a folded position. The shelf includes atop surface, first and second side surfaces, and front and rearsurfaces. The top surface includes a first identifier and the rearsurface (and/or the front surface) includes a second identifier. In theextended position, the top surface can be oriented upwards (orsubstantially upwards) relative to horizontal and the rear surface isdisposed against the frame. In a downwardly folded position, the rearsurface can be oriented upwards (or substantially upwards) relative tohorizontal. In an upwardly folded position, the front surface can beoriented upwards (or substantially upwards) relative to horizontal.

The cart can include two or more wheels mounted to the frame fortransporting the cart along a surface. The shelf can be movably mountedto the frame at a hinge. In some embodiments, the first and secondidentifiers can be barcodes. In some embodiments, the first identifiercan be the same as the second identifier. In some embodiments, the firstidentifier can be different from the second identifier.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarymethod of managing cart inventory is provided. The method includesproviding a cart inventory system as described herein. The methodincludes detecting the first identifier of the cart with the detectionsystem when the shelf is positioned in the extended position. The methodincludes detecting the second identifier of the cart with the detectionsystem when the shelf is positioned in the folded position. In theextended position, the top surface of the shelf is oriented upwards (orsubstantially upwards) relative to horizontal and the rear surface isdisposed against the frame. In the folded position, the rear surface orthe front surface is oriented upwards (or substantially upwards)relative to horizontal.

Detecting the first identifier of the cart with the detection system canindicate that the shelf is in the extended position and the cart is inuse. Detecting the second identifier of the cart with the detectionsystem can indicate that the shelf is in the folded position and thecart is not in use. In the extended position, the detection system isable to detect the first identifier, and the second identifier is hiddenfrom view.

Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Otherobjects and features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as anillustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosedcart inventory system and associated methods, reference is made to theaccompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary cart inventory system of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a cart of an exemplary cart inventory system ofthe present disclosure including a shelf positioned in an extendedposition;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a cart of an exemplary cart inventory system ofthe present disclosure including a shelf positioned in a foldedposition;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a detection system of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary cart inventory systemenvironment in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an implementation of an exemplarycart inventory system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the relative terminology used herein, suchas “front”, “rear”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“up” and “down” is solely for the purposes of clarity and designationand is not intended to limit the invention to embodiments having aparticular position and/or orientation. Accordingly, such relativeterminology should not be construed to limit the scope of the presentinvention. In addition, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited to embodiments having specific dimensions. Thus, anydimensions provided herein are merely for an exemplary purpose and arenot intended to limit the invention to embodiments having particulardimensions.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cart inventorysystem that detects a location of a cart and whether the cart is in useor not. In particular, the exemplary cart inventory system utilizesvideo analytics and identifiers on the cart to determine whether thecart is in use. Each cart includes a shelf configured to be positionedbetween an extended position and a folded position, with each positionproviding visibility to a respective identifier on the cart. Bydetecting one of the two identifiers on the cart, a detection systemdetermines whether the cart is in use or not.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary cart inventory system 100(hereinafter “system 100”) of the present disclosure. The system 100generally includes a cart 102 and a detection system 104. The cart 102includes a frame 106 and a shelf 108 movably mounted to the frame 106.The shelf 108 can be configured to be positioned between an extendedposition (e.g., an in use position) and a folded position (e.g., a notin use position) by a user. In particular, the shelf 108 can be rotateddownwardly into a downwardly folded position so that the rear surface ofthe shelf 108 is oriented upwardly or rotated upwardly into an upwardlyfolded position to so that the front surface of the shelf 108 isoriented upwardly. The frame 106 can be mounted on a plurality of wheels110 for transporting the cart 102 along a surface.

The shelf 108 generally defines a planar surface on which products canbe disposed for transport on the cart 102. The shelf 108 can include aplanar top surface configured to receive and support products thereon,first and second side surfaces, and front and rear surfaces. The topsurface defines a large surface area for supporting one or moreproducts, while the first and second side surfaces and the front andrear surfaces define edges of the planar top surface. The top surface ofthe shelf 108 includes a first identifier 112 (e.g., a barcode, analphanumeric identifier, a color patch or label, combinations thereof,or the like) thereon, and the rear surface (and/or the front surface) ofthe shelf 108 includes a second identifier 114 (e.g., a barcode, analphanumeric identifier, a color patch or label, combinations thereof,or the like) thereon.

In some embodiments, the first and second identifiers 112, 114 can coverthe entire (or substantially the entire) surface of the top and rearsurfaces, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and secondidentifiers 112, 114 can cover only a portion (e.g., 50% or less) of thetop and rear surfaces, respectively. In some embodiments, the first andsecond identifiers 112, 114 can be the same. In some embodiments, thefirst and second identifiers 112, 114 can be different. In someembodiments, the first and second identifiers 112, 114 can be unique toeach cart 102 within the retail environment such that a determinationcan be made as to whether each cart 102 is being used and the exactlocation of the cart 102 in the retail environment. In some embodiments,the rear surface includes the second identifier 114 and the frontsurface includes a third identifier 115 that is different from thesecond identifier 114.

In embodiments where the first and second identifiers 112, 114 aredifferent, the first identifier 112 can be the same for each cart 102within the retail environment and the second identifier 114 can be thesame for each cart 102 within the retail environment. Thus, adetermination can be made as to whether each cart 102 is being usedwithout differentiating between the location of the carts 102. In someembodiments, an alternative locating system can be used to determine thelocation of each cart 102 within the retail environment.

The detection system 104 includes one or more image capture devices 116(e.g., cameras, optical readers, combinations thereof, or the like)disposed around the retail environment. The image capture devices 116can be configured to detect the first identifier 112 of the cart 102when the shelf 108 is positioned in the extended position, and detectthe second identifier 114 when the shelf 108 is positioned in the foldedposition. For example, one of the image capture devices 116 can bedisposed at or near the ceiling of the retail environment, and can scanan area below the image capture device 116 for first and secondidentifiers 112, 114 of carts 102. The geographic field of view of theimage capture device 116 can be limited to a portion of a total areawithin which the cart 102 can be disposed such that the cart 102 may bewithin or outside of the field of view of the image capture device 116depending a location of the cart 102 within the total area.

When the shelf 108 is positioned in the extended position, the topsurface having the first identifier 112 can be oriented upwards (orsubstantially upwards) relative to horizontal (e.g., visible and capableof being captured by one or more of the image capture devices 116), andthe rear surface having the second identifier 114 can be disposedagainst or adjacent to the frame 106, thereby hiding the secondidentifier 114 from the image capture devices 116 (e.g., incapable ofbeing captured by one of more of the image capturing devices 116).Similarly, in the extended position, the front surface of the shelf 108having the second identifier 114 extends perpendicularly (orsubstantially perpendicularly) relative to horizontal, thereby beinghidden from the field of view of the image capture devices 116.Therefore, with the shelf 108 in the extended position, the imagecapture device 116 is capable of detecting only the first identifier 112of the cart 102 and not the second identifier 114. Based on detection ofthe first identifier 112, the detection system 104 determines that thecart 102 is in use and that one of the carts 102 is located in aspecific area of the environment. In embodiments where the firstidentifier 112 is unique to each cart 102, the detection system 104 canfurther determine the specific location of the cart 102 itself withinthe environment as distinguished from other carts 102 in theenvironment.

When the shelf 108 is positioned in the folded position, the top surfacehaving the first identifier 112 is oriented sideways or perpendicular(or substantially perpendicular) relative to horizontal (e.g., incapable of being captured by one or more of the image capture devices116), and the rear surface (or the front surface) having the secondidentifier 114 can be oriented upwards (or substantially upwards)relative to horizontal (e.g., visible and capable of being captured byone or more of the image capture devices 116). Based on detection of thesecond identifier 114, the detection system 104 determines that the cart102 is in use and that one of the carts 102 is located in a specificarea of the environment. In embodiments where the second identifier 114is unique to each cart 102, the detection system 104 can furtherdetermine the specific location of the cart 104 itself within theenvironment as distinguished from other carts 102 in the environment. Insome embodiments, if the cart 102 is determined to not be in use, thesystem 100 can output an alert to a retail associate requesting that thecart 102 be brought back to a cart corral.

The system 100 can include a communication interface 118 configured toprovide communication between the detection system 104 and a processingdevice 120. The processing device 120 can include a processor 122. Thedetection system 104 can electronically transmit data detected by theimage capture devices 116 to the processing device 120 via thecommunication interface 118 through wired and/or wireless channels.Based on the input detected data, the processing device 120 candetermine the status of each cart 102 within the retail environment (andin some embodiments the location of each cart 102 within the retailenvironment), and can output information regarding the inventory of thecarts 102 to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI) 124.

The system 100 can include one or more databases 126 configured toelectronically receive and store data relating to the system 100. Forexample, the database 126 can include identifier information 128 andinventory information 130. The identifier information 128 can includedata corresponding with the first and second identifiers 112, 114 ofeach cart 102. For example, the identifier information 128 can includethe unique first identifiers 112 that (if detected) indicate that thecart 102 is in use, and the unique second identifiers 114 that (ifdetected) indicate that the cart 102 is not in use. As a furtherexample, the identifier information 128 can include the unique color ofthe first identifier 112 and the unique color of the second identifier114. The inventory information 130 can include data corresponding to thecarts 102 detected to be in use and not in use, and the location of thecarts 102 within the retail environment.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplary cart 200 is provided in anextended position and a folded position, respectively. Althoughillustrated as a rocket cart, it should be understood that a variety ofcarts can incorporate components of the disclosed system. Althoughillustrated as being folded into a downwardly folded position in FIG. 3,it should be understood that the shelf can be rotated in either thedownwardly folded position as shown by arrow 201 to expose the rearsurface of the shelf to the image capture devices or an upwardly foldedposition as shown by arrow 203 to expose the front surface of the shelfto the image capture devices. As discussed above, the cart 200 generallyincludes a frame 202 and a shelf 204 movably mounted to the frame 202.The frame 202 can include a vertical member 206 extending substantiallyperpendicular to horizontal 208, and a base 210 extending from a distalend of the vertical member 206 substantially parallel to horizontal 208.The base 210 can be mounted on a plurality of wheels 212. In someembodiments, the frame 202 can include a handle section 214 extendingfrom the vertical member 206 on a side opposing the base 210. The handlesection 214 can be used to guide the cart 200 along within the retailenvironment.

The shelf 204 generally includes a top surface 216, a bottom surface218, first and second side surfaces 220 on opposing sides of the shelf204, a front surface 222, and a rear surface 224. The top and bottomsurfaces 216, 218 can be substantially planar, with the top surface 216providing a surface area on which one or more products can be supported.The surface area of the top and bottom surfaces 216, 218 is dimensionedgreater than the side, front and rear surfaces 220, 222, 224, whichdefines the edges of the top and bottom surfaces 216, 218.

At least a portion of the top surface 216 includes the first identifier226 thereon. For example, the first identifier 226 can coversubstantially the entire top surface 216. In some embodiments, the firstidentifier 226 can cover only a portion of the top surface 216. In someembodiments, multiple first identifiers 226 can be disposed on variousareas of the top surface 216 in a spaced manner. At least a portion ofthe rear surface 224 and/or the front surface 222 includes a secondidentifier 228 thereon. For example, the second identifier 228 can coversubstantially the entire rear surface 224 and/or the front surface 222.In some embodiments, the second identifier 228 can cover only a portionof the rear surface 224 and/or the front surface 222. In someembodiments, multiple second identifiers 226 can be disposed on variousareas of the rear surface 224 and/or the front surface 222 in a spacedmanner.

The shelf 204 can be rotatably mounted to the vertical member 206 at ahinge 230. The hinge 230 defines a rotation axis substantially parallelto horizontal 208. The hinge 230 can be located adjacent to the rearsurface 224 of the shelf 204, yet spaced from the rear surface 224 suchthat the shelf 204 can rotate between supports 232 extending from thevertical member 206. The hinge 230 connection can be disposed atapproximately a midpoint of the height of the vertical member 206.However, it should be understood that the hinge 230 connection can bedisposed at any location along the vertical member 206 that would allowthe shelf 204 to rotate between an extended and folded position.

FIG. 2 shows the shelf 204 disposed in an extended position (e.g., an inuse position). In the extended position, the top surface 216 of theshelf is oriented substantially upwards relative to horizontal 208 andin the direction of the image capture device mounted on the ceiling.Thus, the first identifier 226 is also oriented upwards relative tohorizontal 208 for detection by the image capture device. In theextended position, due to the rotation of the shelf 204, the rearsurface 224 is disposed adjacent to or against the vertical member 206of the frame 202. Similarly, the front surface 222 (which can optionallyinclude the second identifier 228) is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to horizontal. Thus, the second identifier 228 is notvisible to the image capture device, preventing the second identifier228 from being detected. Upon scanning the retail environment, the imagecapture device would detect the first identifier 216, indicating thatthe cart 200 is in use.

FIG. 3 shows the shelf 204 disposed in a folded position (e.g., a not inuse position). In the folded position, the shelf 204 is rotated alongthe hinge 230 such that the top surface 216 is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to horizontal 208. The folded position is generally usedwhen the cart 200 is no longer is use, and the shelf 204 is foldeddownwardly to allow for nesting of multiple carts 200 together. In thisposition, the first identifier 226 is not visible to the image capturedevice, thereby preventing the first identifier 226 from being detected.In contrast, due to rotation of the shelf 204, the rear surface 224 isoriented substantially upwards relative to horizontal 208 and in thedirection of the image capture device mounted on the ceiling. Uponscanning the retail environment, the image capture device would detectthe second identifier 228, indicating that the cart 200 is not in use.It should be understood that the shelf 204 can similarly be rotatedupwardly as shown by arrow 203 to orient the front surface 222 (and thesecond identifier 228) substantially upwards relative to horizontal 208and in the direction of the image capture device mounted on the ceiling.

Detection of the first and second identifiers 226, 228 can be used todetermine the number of carts available for tasks by retail associatesand/or whether an assigned task has been completed. For example, if aretail associate is assigned to a particular department for stockingproducts on a shelf, detection of the first identifier 226 on the cart200 in the designated department can indicate that the retail associateis using the cart 200 and the task has not been completed. As a furtherexample, detection of the second identifier 228 on the cart 200 in thedesignated department can indicate that the retail associate is notusing the cart 200 and the task has been completed. Thus, the system 100can be used to determine the status of assigned tasks with the retailenvironment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary detection system 300. Thedetection system 300 includes one or more image capture devices 302communicatively linked with databases 304, 306 through a server 308. Theimage capture devices 302 can be communicatively linked with thedatabases 304, 306 through wired and/or wireless means. In someembodiments, the image capture devices 302 are mounted at or near theceiling and are oriented downward to detect identifiers of the cartsbelow or around the image capture devices 302. In some embodiments, theimage capture devices 302 are configured to scan an area around theimage capture devices 302 to detect identifiers of the carts in thearea. The database 304 can electronically store data corresponding toidentifiers associated with the carts 200. The database 306 canelectronically store data corresponding to inventory of carts 200 in theretail environment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device 400 in accordance withexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The computing device400 includes one or more non-transitory computer-readable media forstoring one or more computer-executable instructions or software forimplementing exemplary embodiments. The non-transitory computer-readablemedia may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardwarememory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magneticstorage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more flash drives), andthe like. For example, memory 406 included in the computing device 400may store computer-readable and computer-executable instructions orsoftware for implementing exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure (e.g., instructions for controlling one or more portions ofthe detection system 104, or the like). The computing device 400 alsoincludes configurable and/or programmable processor 402 and associatedcore 404, and optionally, one or more additional configurable and/orprogrammable processor(s) 402′ and associated core(s) 404′ (for example,in the case of computer systems having multiple processors/cores), forexecuting computer-readable and computer-executable instructions orsoftware stored in the memory 406 and other programs for controllingsystem hardware. Processor 402 and processor(s) 402′ may each be asingle core processor or multiple core (404 and 404′) processor.

Virtualization may be employed in the computing device 400 so thatinfrastructure and resources in the computing device 400 may be shareddynamically. A virtual machine 414 may be provided to handle a processrunning on multiple processors so that the process appears to be usingonly one computing resource rather than multiple computing resources.Multiple virtual machines may also be used with one processor.

Memory 406 may include a computer system memory or random access memory,such as DRAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, and the like. Memory 406 may include othertypes of memory as well, or combinations thereof.

A user may interact with the computing device 400 through a visualdisplay device 418 (e.g., a personal computer, a mobile smart device, orthe like), such as a computer monitor, which may display one or moreuser interfaces 420 (e.g., GUI 124) that may be provided in accordancewith exemplary embodiments. The computing device 400 may include otherI/O devices for receiving input from a user, for example, a keyboard orany suitable multi-point touch interface 408, a pointing device 410(e.g., a mouse). The keyboard 408 and the pointing device 410 may becoupled to the visual display device 418. The computing device 400 mayinclude other suitable conventional I/O peripherals.

The computing device 400 may also include one or more storage devices424, such as a hard-drive, CD-ROM, or other computer readable media, forstoring data and computer-readable instructions and/or software thatimplement exemplary embodiments of the system 100 described herein.Exemplary storage device 424 may also store one or more databases 426for storing any suitable information required to implement exemplaryembodiments. For example, exemplary storage device 424 can store one ormore databases 426 for storing information, such as data relating toidentifier information 128, inventory information 130, combinationsthereof, or the like, and computer-readable instructions and/or softwarethat implement exemplary embodiments described herein. The databases 426may be updated by manually or automatically at any suitable time to add,delete, and/or update one or more items in the databases.

The computing device 400 can include a network interface 412 configuredto interface via one or more network devices 422 with one or morenetworks, for example, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN)or the Internet through a variety of connections including, but notlimited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (for example,802.11, T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (for example, ISDN,Frame Relay, ATM), wireless connections, controller area network (CAN),or some combination of any or all of the above. The network interface412 may include a built-in network adapter, network interface card,PCMCIA network card, card bus network adapter, wireless network adapter,USB network adapter, modem or any other device suitable for interfacingthe computing device 400 to any type of network capable of communicationand performing the operations described herein. Moreover, the computingdevice 400 may be any computer system, such as a workstation, desktopcomputer, server, laptop, handheld computer, tablet computer (e.g., theiPad™ tablet computer), mobile computing or communication device (e.g.,the iPhone™ communication device), or other form of computing ortelecommunications device that is capable of communication and that hassufficient processor power and memory capacity to perform the operationsdescribed herein.

The computing device 400 may run any operating system 416, such as anyof the versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, thedifferent releases of the Unix and Linux operating systems, any versionof the MacOS® for Macintosh computers, any embedded operating system,any real-time operating system, any open source operating system, anyproprietary operating system, or any other operating system capable ofrunning on the computing device and performing the operations describedherein. In exemplary embodiments, the operating system 416 may be run innative mode or emulated mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the operatingsystem 416 may be run on one or more cloud machine instances.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary cart inventory systemenvironment 450 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The environment 450 can include servers 452, 454 operativelycoupled to one or more detection systems 356, 358, via a communicationplatform 460, which can be any network over which information can betransmitted between devices communicatively coupled to the network. Forexample, the communication platform 460 can be the Internet, Intranet,virtual private network (VPN), wide area network (WAN), local areanetwork (LAN), and the like. In some embodiments, the communicationplatform 460 can be part of a cloud environment. The environment 450 caninclude repositories or databases 462, 464, which can be operativelycoupled to the servers 452, 454, as well as to the detection systems456, 458, via the communications platform 460. In exemplary embodiments,the servers 452, 454, detection systems 456, 458, and databases 462, 464can be implemented as computing devices (e.g., computing device 400).Those skilled in the art will recognize that the databases 462, 464 canbe incorporated into one or more of the servers 452, 454 such that oneor more of the servers 452, 454 can include databases 462, 464. In someembodiments, the database 462 can store the identifier information 128,and the database 464 can store the inventory information 130. In someembodiments, a single database 462, 464 can store both the identifierinformation 128 and the inventory information 130.

In some embodiments, embodiments of the servers 452, 454 can beconfigured to implement one or more portions of the system 100. Forexample, server 452 can be configured to implement one or more portionsof one detection system 456 including an image capture device 466, andserver 454 can be configured to implement one or more portions ofanother detection system 456 including an image capture device 468.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process 500 asimplemented by the cart inventory system 100. To begin, at step 502, acart is provided including a frame, and a shelf movably mounted to theframe and configured to be positioned between an extended position and afolded position. The shelf includes a top surface, first and second sidesurfaces, and front and rear surfaces. The top surface includes a firstidentifier, and the rear surface includes a second identifier. Thesystem 100 further includes a detection system.

At step 504, the first identifier of the cart is detected with thedetection system when the shelf is positioned in the extended position.In the extended position, the top surface is oriented upwards relativeto horizontal and the rear surface is disposed against or adjacent tothe frame, thereby hiding the second identifier from detection by thedetection system. At step 506, the second identifier of the cart isdetected with the detection system when the shelf is positioned in thefolded position. In the folded position, the rear surface is orientedupwards relative to horizontal, thereby allowing the second identifierto be detected by the detection system, while maintaining the firstidentifier hidden from view of the detection system. Thus, the exemplarysystem 100 allows for detection of carts in the retail environment anddetermination as to whether the carts are in use or not in substantiallyreal-time. An accurate and up-to-date inventory of the carts can therebybe maintained.

While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expresslynoted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, butrather that additions and modifications to what is expressly describedherein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, itis to be understood that the features of the various embodimentsdescribed herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in variouscombinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutationsare not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A system for determining whether a cart is in use at a facility, thesystem comprising: a cart including a frame and a shelf mounted to theframe, the cart configured to be positioned in different states of use;an image capture device disposed at the facility and away from the cart,the image capture device configured to detect a current state of use ofthe cart; a communication interface configured to transmit data from theimage capture device to a processing device indicative of the currentstate of use of the cart; and the processing device configured todetermine that the cart is not in use based on the detected currentstate of use of the cart.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the imagecapture device is configured to detect a first identifier associatedwith the cart, detection of the first identifier by the image capturedevice indicating that the cart is in use.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the image capture device is configured to detect a secondidentifier associated with the cart, detection of the second identifierby the image capture device indicating the cart is not in use.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the different states of use of the cartinclude an extended position of the shelf and a folded position of theshelf, the extended position indicating that the cart is in use and thefolded position indicating that the cart is not in use.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the first identifier is on a top surface of the shelf.6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second identifier is on a rearsurface of the shelf.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein in the extendedposition, the image capture device is able to detect the firstidentifier, and the second identifier is hidden from view of the imagecapture device.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein in the foldedposition, the image capture device is able to detect the secondidentifier, and the first identifier is hidden from view of the imagecapture device.
 9. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and secondidentifiers are barcodes.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imagecapture device comprises a camera mounted to a ceiling located over thecart.
 11. The system of claim 4, wherein the processing device isconfigured to determine that the cart is in use if the shelf of the cartis detected to be in the extended position.
 12. A method of determiningwhether a cart is in use at a facility, the method comprising: providinga cart including a frame and a shelf mounted to the frame, the cartconfigured to be positioned in different states of use; detecting withan image capture device a current state of use of the cart, the imagecapture device disposed at the facility and away from the cart;transmitting data with a communication interface from the image capturedevice to a processing device indicative of the current state of use ofthe cart; and determining with the processing device that the cart isnot in use based on the detected current state of use of the cart. 13.The method of claim 12, comprising detecting with the image capturedevice a first identifier associated with the cart, detection of thefirst identifier by the image capture device indicating that the cart isin use.
 14. The method of claim 12, comprising detecting with the imagecapture device a second identifier associated with the cart, detectionof the second identifier by the image capture device indicating that thecart is not in use.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the differentstates of use of the cart include an extended position of the shelf anda folded position of the shelf, the extended position indicating thatthe cart is in use and the folded position indicating that the cart isnot in use.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first identifier ison a top surface of the shelf.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein thesecond identifier is on a rear surface of the shelf.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein in the extended position, the image capture device isable to detect the first identifier, and the second identifier is hiddenfrom view of the image capture device.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein in the folded position, the image capture device is able todetect the second identifier, and the first identifier is hidden fromview of the image capture device.
 20. The method of claim 15, comprisingdetermining with the processing device that the cart is in use if theshelf of the cart is detected to be in the extended position.